Anderson DUI Accident Kills Three, puts 12 Year Old in Medical Coma

In Anderson, South Carolina, a 24 year old baseball coach with the local university is facing charges of multiple DUIs after he caused an accident that killed three youngsters and put a 12 year old in hospital with grave injuries.

Riley Christopher McDermott – assistant baseball coach at the Anderson University – was driving down Williamson Road on the night of Saturday, 8th November, when his Ford-150 crossed the center line on the road, and collided head on with an incoming Nissan Altima. The driver of the Nissan, was a 22 year old from Greenville, SC. According to Greenville DUI attorneys, Corey Simmonds was killed in the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene by the police responders.

Two Dead at the Scene

Also in the car with Simmonds were four female passengers who were returning from dinner at a parents’ house. 20 year old Jessica Roberts, from Iva, was Simmonds’ girlfriend. She was taken to hospital after the crash where she succumbed to her wounds. Jessica’s sister, Samantha D. Roberts, 17, was also injured in the accident but was known to be in a stable condition. The third victim of the crash was Amber Hope Perkins, 17, of Williamston, who too died at the scene. Perkins’ sister, 12 year old Cheyenne Queen is the youngest victim of the accident. She is currently in hospital with serious injuries.

According to Greenville DUI attorneys, both Perkins and Simmonds died of blunt force trauma. Jessica’s death in the hospital is attributed to traumatic chest injuries and blunt force trauma―the 20 year old had to be extricated from the car by police officers after the accident.

Fighting for Survival

Cheyenne, who was taken to Greenville Memorial Hospital, had to be put under a medically induced coma by the doctors. Her injuries are very severe, and the 12 year old has a hard time in front of her. Though she is expected to make a full recovery, doctors say that she will probably have to re-learn how to walk again and has an excruciating recovery period ahead.

Family members have already set up a Facebook page called ‘Fighting with Cheyenne’ and have started selling bracelets and T-shirts to help with the rising medical bills. They have also vowed to donate some of the money to the family of the second survivor – Samantha Roberts.

Police Investigation is Still On

SC police investigators are still going through the details of the case. However, they say that the accident occurred when McDermott, who was driving his vehicle in an inebriated condition, decided to take a turn at a high speed and ended up colliding with the Nissan. There was another man in the Ford with McDermott―28 year old Ralph Willard Van Nostrand, of Kentucky―was also suffered injuries but was later discharged from hospital.

McDermott’s Just Ended his Life as he Knew It

McDermott has been charged with three counts of felony DUI causing death, and three counts of felony DUI resulting in bodily harm. An Anderson municipal judge has also denied requests by McDermott’s attorney that the man be allowed to travel to his own home in Florida for the trial.